Seven-storey tower plan for Camberwell station

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A commerical development containing a building as high as seven
storeys could be built at Camberwell Station if plans by the State
Government's rail authority are approved.

The authority, VicTrack, yesterday released a new proposal for
the controversial Camberwell Station development that includes up
to 30 dwellings and a public plaza on the east side of the Burke
Road bridge.

The proposal significantly amends VicTrack's original plans for
the site, which provoked large public protests in Camberwell
earlier this year. Yet the changes have not appeased residents and
Boroondara Council could reject the development because of its
size. A final decision on the site is likely to be made by Planning
Minister Mary Delahunty.

The proposal by VicTrack's preferred developer, Tenterfield,
includes the creation of a five-storey building on the car park
next to the station on the east side of Burke Road. The building
could rise to seven storeys if the council deems it to be "of
exceptional design".

Tenterfield also proposes a mainly residential four-storey
building at the back of the car park site - a change that could
appeal to the Government because it meets its desire for greater
residential density in activity centres such as Camberwell
Junction. VicTrack chief executive John Sutton said the proposal
would improve shopping on Burke Road by creating new retail
buildings, while the plaza would retain views of the city from
Cookson Street next to the station.

He said money raised from sale of land, plus air rights above
the tracks, would go to improving the station, including the
provision of disability access.

A member of the Boroondara Residents Action Group, Mary Drost,
said that "obviously the Government has not heard one word the
residents have said".

Mrs Drost said the new proposal was "just too big again. It is
the Godzilla footprint and it absolutely ruins this lovely old
station."

Boroondara city planning director Phil Storer said a council
working group on the station site had received 694 submissions. It
would make a recommendation to the council in February.